Any tips for avoiding horseflies?

[Lavender14]

I love going walking and would usually gravitate towards woods or a bit of wilderness etc for the peace. Went walking a few days ago and I was absolutely plagued by horseflies. It was unbearable, they're so tenacious and flipping hurt when they bite. I actually ended up just running the route I'd planned to walk because I just needed to get back to the car it was so bad.

Does anyone have any tips on how to protect yourself from them? I was pretty covered up and wearing light colours but got bit through my clothes and they were really aiming for my face and neck. It was so hot I couldn't really have put on thicker layers.

No tips they are wankers. Been bit twice the past few weeks and still healing!

Apparently rubbing on fresh Nepeta (catmint) is a good deterrent.

No idea, I'm allergic to the bites and have developed cellulitis before with one. Following for the top tips!

They are such wankers!!!! I've never been so glad I didn't take my wee one out with me, it was the worst I've ever experienced. At one point I had about 10 of them on me it was awful.

DEET

I’ve got a huge one atm. Saw the little bastard land and everything

I am covered in their bites from weeks ago. big lumpy raised bumps. Hate them.

They are sight flyers not scent driven so fly spray etc has zero effect on them. They are attracted to large solid coloured warm objects. Wearing high contrast patterns helps a bit like zebra print for example.

My Avon lady swears by the Avon skin so soft sprays, she says the repelled all insects and flys, I'm not sure if she's just saying it to boost sale's, but could be worth a try, it's not too expensive. I use the skin so soft enhance and glow spray. It's not expensive, but I use it to give me a bit of a tan. I don't go walking in the woods but I've never been bitten.

Avon Skin so Soft dry oil spray is good. I used to use it on my horses and me as well. Not sure it’s 100% effective as nothing is but it’s not bad. Failing that any citronella spray will work for a short time too.

Came here to say this.

Avon skin so soft is a game changer. My husband gets bitten by everything. He wears it every day through summer months or even winter if going to woods etc. horse fly bites usually end up infected, they’re nasty for him!

They sell Avon skin so soft at the all the golf courses in Scotland to stop the midgies and the British Army have been known to take it too

I find it more effective than deet

Go earlier in the day. I go out riding in the mornings and get back home at around 6:30, before all the insects seem to have woken up :D

Sounds a bit mad, but a horsey friend of mine puts a fake dragonfly on a wire on her horses bridle so it’s bobs about above him and she swears they keep away.

maybe attach one to a baseball cap 😂